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question: how to improve cable TV audio quality

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artsybrute

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Hi all,
I don't have a quality video receiver in my music room (I have a Denon unit in the HT room), but I would like to watch some cable TV there from time to time, especially when there are concerts on PBS.
Here's the problem: the converter box supplied by Cablevision supplies awful audio quality from it's stereo rca jacks. My preamp has no input for coax cable, so I am forced to use the rca outputs to my preamp. The audio portion of my system is quite good, if only I had a quality source to feed it.
Is there anything out there that converts from coax input to high quality stereo audio output, without having to purchase an A/V receiver?
Any and all comments or help would be greatly appreciated.
Len

Follow Ups:

answer: less is more - petew 17:24:58 10/20/02 (4)
the dirty little cable secret: they get their signal from the same satellite i do, then plex it and flex it and mexx it, load it and code it--often overmode it, and force it into a billion corroded contacts submurged in salty water for a million miles after miles...'til it gets to your house...
it's absolutely the worst signal you can get--the worst!
cut out the middle man and get yourself a dish, man!
{the best signal you can get is free off-the-air digital HD broadcast by your local PBS station and sometimes by the networks...but you knew that right?}
- If I were you, I would just go get a job at the local PBS station - lwang 23:17:49 10/20/02 (3)
  and watch their local HD broadcast right from the source. No need for the signal to go through miles of cables, to the satellite broadcaster, have the jittery radio waves travel 45,000 miles of polluted RF blocking air, then have your dish try to amplify that signal that is barely above the noise of random oscillating hydrogen atoms in space.
  - ??? the PBS HD signal is broadcast over the airwaves - petew 09:16:36 10/21/02 (2)
    i'm sorry, but i believe i wasn't clear
    where i live i get 7 digital signals that are broadcast via "old-fashoned" TV towers through the eather about 20 miles to a 9-inch "bowtie" antenna in my attic. there is no charge for this service. sometimes the networks broadcast a true 1080i HDTV signal, like for the last winter olympics or for a special feature movie.
    but our PBS station, WHYY, has an alternate frequency (digital 12.3) that broadcasts in 1080i high definition all the time. the picture is beyond description.
    i've had so many problems with cable service, noise interference, lost signals every time it rains, lost signals for no reason, sudden changes in station frequencies, etc...that i went out and bought a dish and installed it myself in a few hours--it was easy. the picture is way better than cable ever was. HBO broadcasts movies in HD on one of the satellite frequencies all the time, but the absolute best picture you can get is the off-the-airwave PBS alternate signal--and you don't need a cable or a dish to get it--even a bent coathanger sticking out of the back of your receiver is enough to get this unbelievably life-like picture!
    to find out who is broadcasting analog or digital in your area and where to aim your antenna, check out this website:
    - http://www.antennaweb.org
    - Thanks - artsybrute 17:37:12 10/24/02 (0)
      I had no idea that I could receive a digital signal for free.
      My local PBS won't be up until early 2003, but there are other digital PBS stations within receiving range.
      Hmmm, maybe time to ditch the cable altogether. Take the money, get a good digital receiver (never just stop spending!), and maybe figure a way to pipe the digital audio through my DAX-2.
      Way to go. Thanks again.
    - Re: ??? the PBS HD signal is broadcast over the airwaves - lwang 11:38:42 10/21/02 (0)
      A bent coathanger? Let that frail movement of photons radiating from the transmitter antenna knock loose the electrons of the oxide laiden coathanger, where all the free elctron are probably traped in the oxide? I wouldn't bet on it. You need POCC 10-9's antenna, where you looking at it will cause the electron to free-flow.
      It is still better off watching it straight of the master tape. I would take that broadcast room security guard job before someone who doesn't appreciate watching PBS 24hrs a day takes it.
Thanks! <nt> - artsybrute 08:56:51 10/19/02 (0)
Re: question: how to improve cable TV audio quality - oldschool 12:58:55 10/18/02 (0)
You might want to ask the cable co. for a new or upgrade box. I had a noisy no name box and when I complained, they said I could upgrade to a Pioneer box for $10.00. Problem was solved.
good luck
You need a RF Demodulator. - jk@home 06:15:59 10/17/02 (1)
Can't give you a exact recommendation, but try a google search or go to Markertek.com. Also a (cheap) hi-fi VCR should have this feature.
- you hit the nail on the head. - Markw* 04:26:14 10/18/02 (0)
  With Hi-Fi VCR's going for a song nowadays, why bother to look for a dedicated piece. Also, as a side benefit, for no extra cost you get to record your favorite TV programs.

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